What is a family entertainment center?

A family entertainment center (FEC) is a small-scale theme park marketed towards families with small children to teenagers, often entirely indoors. FECs offer a wide range of attractions and activities, including arcade and redemption games, miniature golf, go-kart racing, laser tag, bumper cars, and food and beverages. FECs are designed to provide a fun and exciting way for families to spend time together, and they often offer a variety of packages and deals to attract customers.

FECs can be standalone businesses or part of larger entertainment complexes, and they are typically located in major metropolitan areas. FECs can benefit from having anchor attractions, which are major features that draw in customers and keep them engaged. FECs can also offer customized and unique attractions, such as virtual reality experiences or escape rooms, to differentiate themselves from competitors.

How do family entertainment centers differ from amusement parks?

Family entertainment centers (FECs) and amusement parks share some similarities, but they also have some key differences. Here are some ways in which FECs differ from amusement parks:

Family Entertainment Centers (FECs):

Are marketed towards families with small children to teenagers, often entirely indoors.
Offer a wide range of attractions and activities, including arcade and redemption games, miniature golf, go-kart racing, laser tag, bumper cars, and food and beverages.
Are generally small compared to full-scale amusement parks, with fewer attractions, a lower per-person per-hour cost to consumers than a traditional amusement park, and not usually major tourist attractions, but sustained by an area customer base.
Are often locally owned and operated, although there are a number of chains and franchises in the field.
Tend to be located in sub-regional markets of larger metropolitan areas.
Are designed to provide a fun and exciting way for families to spend time together.
Can benefit from having anchor attractions, which are major features that draw in customers and keep them engaged.
Can offer customized and unique attractions, such as virtual reality experiences or escape rooms, to differentiate themselves from competitors.

Amusement Parks:

Are larger in scale and offer a wider variety of attractions, including roller coasters, water rides, and live entertainment.
Are often destination attractions that draw visitors from a wide geographic area.
Tend to have higher per-person costs than FECs.
Can be seasonal or year-round.
Often have themed areas or lands that provide immersive experiences for visitors.

What types of activities are typically found in family entertainment centers?

Family entertainment centers (FECs) offer a wide range of activities and attractions that cater to families and provide a fun and enjoyable experience for visitors of all ages. Here are some types of activities that are typically found in FECs:

Arcade and redemption games
Miniature golf
Go-kart racing
Laser tag
Soft Play
Rides
Inflatables
Roller skating
Water slides
Adventure Park
Tube maze
Virtual reality experiences
ND Cinema
Music and dancing
Specialty shops (toys, comics, music, etc.)
Quality family and group dining in theme restaurants
Bowling
Snack bars and fast food (often pizza)

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What is a family entertainment center?